Removable urinal splash shield device

ABSTRACT

A removable urinal splash shield device that is a urinal shield is disclosed. The urinal shield comprises a vertical curved member connected to a horizontal curved member. The vertical curved member is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal curved member. The horizontal curved member is connected to a convex outer surface of the vertical curved member and contacts an upper surface of a rim of a toilet bowl when the urinal shield is used. A portion of the vertical curved member projects into an inner portion of the toilet bowl adjacent to the rim of the toilet bowl to provide further stability of the urinal shield when the urinal shield is used. The urinal shield contacts the upper surface of the rim of the toilet bowl so that a concave inner surface of the vertical curved member faces in the direction from which a urine stream is directed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to urinals and urinal splashguards, and more specifically to a removable urinal splash shield devicefor diverting urine into a toilet bowl.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the past, inadvertent splashing of regions surrounding toiletbowls commonly occurred during their use by males. This problem wasparticularly severe when males were infirm, elderly or a young child.Many devices that were previously disclosed seemed to resolve thisproblem by adding a dedicated urinal portion to the toilet. For example,Harrington U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,619 disclosed a toilet combined with aswiveling urinal portion. Grudzinkas U.S. Pat. No. D283,834 and ShanksU.S. Pat. No. D274,288 also disclosed a dedicated urinal portion. All ofthese patents disclosed devices which totally replace the current designof toilet installed in individual homes. None provide a device which canbe adapted for use upon a preexisting toilet bowl found in the typicalhome.

[0003] Blaha U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,925 does provide such a device, butprovides no protection for the toilet seat and in addition presentsdifficulties in cleaning the device. Perry U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,851discloses a device that resolves Blaha's cleaning issue but Perry'sdevice is non-removable. Perry's device flips up for use and down fornonuse. The “for use” position does not contemplate that a young maleseverely misdirects his urine because the height and radial nature ofthe Perry device would not allow the young male to direct his urinestream over the device into the toilet bowl. In addition, the “fornonuse” position may interfere with the legs and back of a personsitting on a toilet seat.

[0004] Currently, no devices are available, which completely satisfy theneed to divert male urine streams directly into toilet bowls, especiallyin the case of young males. The current invention satisfies this need byproviding a removable urinal splash shield of simple design that isparticularly suitable for use by young males.

[0005] For the foregoing reasons, there is a need to provide an improvedremovable urinal splash shield device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide animproved removable urinal splash shield device.

[0007] It is a further object of this invention to provide an improvedremovable urinal splash shield device, which is easily cleaned.

[0008] It is a further object of this invention to provide an improvedremovable urinal splash shield device that is particularly suitable foruse by young males.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In accordance with one embodiment of this invention a removableurinal splash shield is disclosed. The urinal splash shield devicecomprises in combination a substantially vertical curved member adaptedto conform to and vertically extend above a toilet bowl; and asubstantially horizontal curved member connected to a portion of aconvex outer surface of the substantially vertical curved member andadapted to conform to and contact an upper surface of the toilet bowlrim, the substantially vertical curved member being substantiallyperpendicular to the substantially horizontal curved member, theremovable urinal splash shield device protecting both the rim of thetoilet bowl and other areas adjacent the rim from inadvertent splashingduring urination. The removable urinal splash shield device includes aportion of the vertical curved member projecting into an inner portionof the toilet bowl for providing stability when the horizontal curvedmember of the removable urinal splash shield device contacts the uppersurface of the toilet bowl rim. A toilet seat is raised from the uppersurface of the toilet bowl rim prior to use of the removable urinalsplash shield device and the removable urinal splash shield device iscoupled to the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim, a concave innersurface of the vertical curved member facing in the direction from whicha urine stream is directed protecting both the rim of the toilet bowland other areas adjacent the rim from inadvertent splashing duringurination. The removable urinal splash shield device is disengaged fromthe upper surface of the toilet bowl rim after using the removableurinal splash shield device to provide for normal use of the toiletbowl. A combination of the horizontal curved member contacting the uppersurface of the toilet bowl rim and the portion of the vertical memberprojecting into the inner portion of the toilet bowl together providefurther stability for the removable splash shield contacting the uppersurface of the toilet bowl and protect both the upper surface of thetoilet bowl rim and other areas adjacent the rim from inadvertentsplashing during urination. The removable urinal splash shield devicecontacting the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim provides anincreased toilet bowl target area for urination. The substantiallyvertical curved member is a substantially vertical semi-ellipticalmember and the substantially horizontal curved member is a substantiallyhorizontal semi-elliptical member to fit a portion of a substantiallyelliptically shaped end portion of the rim of the toilet bowl.Alternatively, the substantially vertical curved member is asubstantially vertical semi-circular member and the substantiallyhorizontal curved member is a substantially horizontal semi-circularmember to fit a substantially semi-circular shaped end portion of therim of the toilet bowl. The removable urinal splash shield device iscomprised of plastic. The removable urinal splash shield device iscomprised of rigid plastic.

[0010] In accordance with a second embodiment of this invention a methodfor using a removable urinal splash shield device is disclosed. Themethod comprises the step of providing a substantially vertical curvedmember adapted to conform to and vertically extend above a toilet bowl;and a substantially horizontal curved member connected to a portion of aconvex outer surface of the substantially vertical curved member andadapted to conform to and contact an upper surface of the toilet bowlrim, the substantially vertical curved member being substantiallyperpendicular to the substantially horizontal curved member, theremovable urinal splash shield device protecting both the rim of thetoilet bowl and other areas adjacent the rim from inadvertent splashingduring urination. The method further comprises including a portion ofthe vertical curved member projecting into an inner portion of thetoilet bowl for providing stability when the horizontal curved member ofthe removable urinal splash shield device contacts the upper surface ofthe toilet bowl rim. Prior to using the removable urinal splash shielddevice the method further comprises the steps of raising a toilet seatfrom the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim; and coupling theremovable urinal splash shield device to the upper surface of the toiletbowl rim, a concave inner surface of the vertical curved member facingin the direction from which a urine stream is directed for protectingboth the rim of the toilet bowl and other areas adjacent the rim frominadvertent splashing during urination. After using the removable urinalsplash shield device, the method further comprises disengaging theremovable urinal splash shield device from the upper surface of thetoilet bowl rim providing for normal use of the toilet bowl. The methodfurther comprises providing a combination of the horizontal curvedmember contacting the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim and theportion of the vertical member projecting into the inner portion of thetoilet bowl together to provide further stability for the removablesplash shield contacting the upper surface of the toilet bowl andprotecting both the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim and other areasadjacent the rim from inadvertent splashing during urination.

[0011] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following, more detailed descriptionof the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a removable urinal splash shielddevice on a top surface of a rim of a toilet bowl according to thisinvention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the removable urinal splashshield device of FIG. 1; and

[0014]FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of the removable urinal splashshield device of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] According to FIG. 1, a removable urinal splash shield devicecomprises a urinal shield 10. The urinal shield 10 comprises a verticalcurved member 12 connected to a horizontal curved member 14. In thisembodiment the curvature of the vertical curved member 12 and thehorizontal curved member 14 is semi-elliptical or semi-circulardepending on the shape of a rim 18 of a toilet bowl 16. In principal, asemi-elliptical curvature would be effective for either a rear portionof an elliptically or substantially circularly shaped rim 18. Thehorizontal curved member 14 is connected to a convex outer surface ofthe vertical curved member 12 and contacts an upper surface of the rim18 of the toilet bowl 16 during use of the urinal shield 10. A portionof the vertical curved member 12 projects into an inner portion of thetoilet bowl 16 adjacent to the rim 18 of the toilet bowl 16 to providefurther stability of the urinal shield 10 when the urinal shield 10 isused. This stability feature is of particular importance for a youngmale who may otherwise push over the urinal shield 10 prior to use. Thevertical curved member 12 is substantially perpendicular to thehorizontal curved member 14. The horizontal curved member 14, incombination with the portion of the vertical curved member 12 thatprojects into the toilet bowl 16, protect the rim 18 from inadvertentsplashing during urination. When the urinal shield 10 is used, a toiletseat 20 is raised and the urinal shield 10 contacts the upper surface ofthe rim 18 of the toilet bowl 16 so that a concave inner surface of thevertical curved member 12 faces in the direction from which a urinestream is directed. The urinal shield 10 can be readily cleaned using anappropriate cleaning method such as a spray bottle filled with acleansing and/or disinfecting agent. After use and cleaning, the urinalshield 10 can be removed from the upper surface of the rim for futureuse as needed. In this embodiment the height of a portion of thevertical curved member 12 that projects above the toilet bowl 16 isabout 12 inches and the length of the long semi-axis of the verticalcurved member 12 is about 10 inches. A preferred material for the urinalshield 10 is a plastic that can be cleaned, and more preferably a rigidplastic.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the removable urinal splashshield device without a toilet shown to more clearly indicate thefeatures of the urinal shield 10. The horizontal curved member 14 is aunitary member connected to the convex outer surface of the verticalcurved member 12.

[0017]FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of the removable urinal splashshield device without a toilet shown. In this embodiment, an uppercorner of each end of the vertical curved member 12 is curved to protecta person against inadvertent harm if the urinal splash shield 10 fallsforward from the top surface of the rim 18 of the toilet bowl 16 duringthe removal of the urinal shield 10.

[0018] The open and removable design of the urinal shield 10 makes itparticularly suitable for use for young males visiting a home, whereresidents are concerned about the toilet habits of their visitors. Theurinal shield 10 is also of value for young males who are being toilettrained in their own homes and for elderly or infirm males that areconcerned about inadvertent splashing during urination. The removablenature of the urinal shield 10 means that a toilet is not dedicated tosingle purpose use.

[0019] In summary, the present invention is directed to a removableurinal splash shield device that is a urinal shield. The urinal shieldcomprises a vertical curved member connected to a horizontal curvedmember. The vertical curved member is substantially perpendicular to thehorizontal curved member. The horizontal curved member is connected to aconvex outer surface of the vertical curved member and contacts an uppersurface of a rim of a toilet bowl when the urinal shield is used. Aportion of the vertical curved member projects into an inner portion ofthe toilet bowl adjacent to the rim of the toilet bowl to providefurther stability of the urinal shield when the urinal shield is used.The urinal shield contacts the upper surface of the rim of the toiletbowl so that a concave inner surface of the vertical curved member facesin the direction from which a urine stream is directed. The urinalshield is readily cleaned and can be easily removed.

[0020] While the invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formand details may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. For example, the curvature of the verticalcurved member may be altered to suit different curvatures of toiletbowls. Numerous types of plastics with different colors, designs andtextures could be used as suitable materials of construction. Theportion of the vertical curved member projecting into the toilet bowlcould be longer and also further curved.

1. A removable urinal splash shield device comprising, in combination: asubstantially vertical curved member adapted to conform to andvertically extend above a toilet bowl having a toilet bowl rim; and asubstantially horizontal curved member connected to a portion of aconvex outer surface of said substantially vertical curved member andadapted to conform to and contact an upper surface of the toilet bowlrim, said substantially vertical curved member being substantiallyperpendicular to said substantially horizontal curved member, saidvertically curved member having an outer vertical surface portion thatis equivalent to an inner vertical surface portion of the toilet bowlrim, said vertical curved portion having a linear extended portion toproject into an inner portion of the toilet bowl for contact with saidinner vertical surface portion of the toilet bowl rim to providetogether with said horizontal curved member stability of said removableurinal splash shield device when said horizontal curved member of saidremovable urinal splash shield device contacts the upper surface of thetoilet bowl rim, said removable urinal splash shield device is made ofrigid plastic for protecting both the rim of the toilet bowl and otherareas adjacent the rim from inadvertent splashing during urination. 2.(Cancelled)
 3. The removable urinal splash shield device according toclaim 1 wherein a toilet seat is raised from the upper surface of thetoilet bowl rim prior to use of said removable urinal splash shielddevice and said removable urinal splash shield device is coupled to theupper surface of the toilet bowl rim, a concave inner surface of saidvertical curved member facing in the direction from which a urine streamis directed for protecting both the rim of the toilet bowl and otherareas adjacent the rim from inadvertent splashing during urination byproviding said vertically curved member having said outer verticalsurface portion that is equivalent to said inner vertical surfaceportion of the toilet bowl rim, said vertical curved portion having saidlinear extended portion to project into an inner portion of the toiletbowl.
 4. The removable urinal splash shield device according to claim 1wherein said removable urinal splash shield device is disengaged fromthe upper surface of the toilet bowl rim after using said removableurinal splash shield device to provide for normal use of the toiletbowl.
 5. The removable urinal splash shield device according to claim 1wherein a combination of said horizontal curved member contacting theupper surface of the toilet bowl rim and the portion of said verticalmember projecting into said inner portion of the toilet bowl togetherprovide further stability for said removable splash shield contactingthe upper surface of the toilet bowl and protect both the upper surfaceof the toilet bowl rim and other areas adjacent the rim from inadvertentsplashing during urination.
 6. The removable urinal splash shield deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein said removable urinal splash shield devicecontacting the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim provides anincreased toilet bowl target area for urination.
 7. The removable urinalsplash shield device according to claim 1 wherein said substantiallyvertical curved member is a substantially vertical semi-ellipticalmember and said substantially horizontal curved member is asubstantially horizontal semi-elliptical member to fit a portion of asubstantially elliptically shaped end portion of the rim of the toiletbowl.
 8. The removable urinal splash shield device according to claim 1wherein said substantially vertical curved member is a substantiallyvertical semi-circular member and said substantially horizontal curvedmember is a substantially horizontal semi-circular member to fit asubstantially semi-circular shaped end portion of the rim of the toiletbowl.
 9. (Cancelled)
 10. (Cancelled)
 11. A method for using a removableurinal splash shield device comprising the step of: providing asubstantially vertical curved member adapted to conform to andvertically extend above a toilet bowl having a toilet bowl rim; andproviding a substantially horizontal curved member connected to aportion of a convex outer surface of said substantially vertical curvedmember and adapted to conform to and contact an upper surface of thetoilet bowl rim, said substantially vertical curved member beingsubstantially perpendicular to said substantially horizontal curvedmember, said vertically curved member having an outer vertical surfaceportion that is equivalent to an inner vertical surface portion of thetoilet bowl rim, said vertical curved portion having a linear extendedportion to project into an inner portion of the toilet bowl for contactwith said inner vertical surface portion of the toilet bowl rim toprovide together with said horizontal curved member stability of saidremovable urinal splash shield device when said horizontal curved memberof said removable urinal splash shield device contacts the upper surfaceof the toilet bowl rim, said removable urinal splash shield device ismade of rigid plastic for protecting both the rim of the toilet bowl andother areas adjacent the rim from inadvertent splashing duringurination.
 12. (Cancelled)
 13. The method for using a removable urinalsplash shield device according to claim 11 further comprising the stepsof: prior to using said removable urinal splash shield device raising atoilet seat from the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim; and couplingsaid removable urinal splash shield device to the upper surface of thetoilet bowl rim, a concave inner surface of said vertical curved memberfacing in the direction from which a urine stream is directed forprotecting both the rim of the toilet bowl and other areas adjacent therim from inadvertent splashing during urination by providing saidvertically curved member having said outer vertical surface portion thatis equivalent to said Inner vertical surface portion of the toilet bowlrim, said vertical curved portion having said linear extended portion toprotect into an inner portion of the toilet bowl.
 14. The method forusing a removable urinal splash shield device according to claim 11further comprising the step of: after using said removable urinal splashshield device, disengaging said removable urinal splash shield devicefrom the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim providing for normal useof the toilet bowl.
 15. The method for using a removable urinal splashshield device according to claim 11 further comprising the step of:providing a combination of said horizontal curved member contacting theupper surface of the toilet bowl rim and the portion of said verticalmember projecting into said inner portion of the toilet bowl togetherproviding further stability for said removable splash shield contactingthe upper surface of the toilet bowl and protecting both the uppersurface of the toilet bowl rim and other areas adjacent the rim frominadvertent splashing during urination.